Modibo Diakite will return to Sunderland after his agent claimed Fiorentina have no interest in making the French defender’s loan move permanent.

The 27-year-old former Lazio star only joined the Black Cats on a free transfer last summer.

He made just eight appearances for the club before moving to Fiorentina on a three-month loan deal in February, making nine appearances for the Serie A outfit.

Diakite’s agent Ulisse Savini said today: “Diakite will definitely return to Sunderland after his loan.

“At the moment I have no news from Fiorentina or from other clubs so we are preparing for the next season with the Black Cats.”

As such, Diakite seems certain to join Sunderland’s pre-season trip to Portugal, confirmed yesterday, at the end of July and the beginning of August.

It will include three warm-up game,s details of which have yet to be finalised.

Meanwhile, Black Cats head coach Gus Poyet has spelt out his footballing philosophy, saying: “Being brave is important, knowing what to do and perhaps not taking unnecessary risks even if the fans want it. We have been getting better at that.

“We have a rule, a way of understanding football.

“A player can have a bad day but being committed to the cause and the way we understand football is most important.”